James Gunn Calls Superman His Most Challenging Film: “I Had to Redefine What Everyone Assumes They Know”

James Gunn has shared that directing Superman was the most challenging project he’s ever tackled, describing it as more “comic book-driven” than any of his previous superhero films.

“This was the hardest movie I’ve ever made,” the DC Studios head mentioned in a recent interview.

He added, “The next hardest was probably the first Guardians. With Guardians, you were creating a unique corner of the universe that felt distinct from everything else Marvel was doing at the time. Here, I was reshaping something that everyone thinks they already know. Oddly enough, it’s the most comic book-driven work I’ve done—more than any of my other superhero films.”

After directing the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy for the MCU from 2014 to 2023, last year’s Superman marked Gunn’s first film in the new DC Universe. The movie, featuring David Corenswet as the iconic hero, drew significant inspiration from the comic series All-Star Superman.

The film was named the top movie of 2025 and will be followed by Man of Tomorrow, a sequel of sorts that continues the story with Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. “At its core, it’s about Clark and Lex,” Gunn explained. “I see parts of myself in both. I connect with Lex’s ambition and obsession—minus the murder—and I relate to Superman’s faith in people and his Midwestern values. They represent two sides of me.”

Next up in the DCU Chapter One lineup is Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie. Milly Alcock will portray Superman’s adventurous cousin, Kara Zor-El, as she embarks on a vengeful journey across the universe, accompanied by Krypto the Superdog.

Supergirl is set to hit theaters on June 26.